Welcome to GST Karnataka, Bengaluru Zone (BZ)

The Bangalore Central Tax Zone which has come into existence w.e.f. 1.7.2017 under the Central Board of Excise and Customs, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance,Government of India is the Jurisdictional Central Tax Authority for administering the GST Acts, Central Excise Act 1944 and Finance Act 1994 in the State of Karnataka. Hitherto, the Zone was called Bangalore Central Excise Zone and was administering the collection of Central Excise and Service tax in the 9 Revenue Districts of Bangalore Urban, Bangalore Rural, Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Ramanagara, Tumkur, Chitradurga, Davangere and Haveri in the State of Karnataka. After the Re-organisation of the Zones by CBIC w.e.f. 22.6.2017 the erstwhile Mysore Zone has been merged with Bangalore Zone and the present Jurisdiction of this Zone is the whole of Karnataka State. The present Bangalore Central Tax Zone which is headed by an Officer of the Rank of Principal Chief Commissioner consists of Eight Executive Commissionerates viz. Bangalore East, Bangalore West, Bangalore North, Bangalore South, Bangalore North West, Mysuru, Mangalore and Belgavi, four Audit Commissionerates viz. Audit-I Bangalore, Audit-II Bangalore, Audit Mysuru and Audit Belgavi and four Appeals Commissionerates viz. Appeals-I Bangalore, Appeals-II Bangalore, Appeals Mysuru and Appeals Belgavi.

Message from Shri A. K. Jyotishi, IRS

Principal Chief Commissioner of Central Tax, Bengaluru Zone (current)

I am happy to inform that the Central Tax, Bengaluru Zone, Karnataka is celebrating GST day on 1st of July, 2018 to mark one year of successful roll out of Goods and Service Tax. The passing of GST Bill in the parliament was a triumph for Indian democracy and cooperative federalism.
On 1ST July, 2017, the single biggest indirect tax reform was introduced, by dismantling inter-state barriers with respect to trade and industries and converting India into a single unified market. Despite initial hurdles and glitches, we are now poised to reap the true benefits of this momentous change, which would not have been possible but for the painstaking efforts made and unwavering support lent by various stakeholders. I compliment and congratulate the industry, businesses, the trade and professional bodies for their efforts in working towards the transition into the GST. I am sure that together, we will leave no stone unturned and will rise to the occasion to translate this tax into a true ‘Good and Simple Tax’. On this momentous day, I also take this opportunity to convey my heartfelt greetings to all the officers of Central Tax, Karnataka Zone and their family members. I would like to congratulate each and every one of you for successfully creating an eco-system of cooperation and harmony with determination to achieve our common goal of having a strong and prosperous India.
I wish all of you the very best and look forward to continued and renewed dedication to the tasks of providing increasingly better taxpayer services and in continuing, vigorously, your endeavours in implementing and strengthening the GST in the Karnataka Zone.

Message from Shri K. Raghu N. Chary, IRS

The main aim of GST, which the Prime Minister has termed as ‘Good and Simple Tax’, is to simplify the taxation process, unify the market, reduce the burden of taxes and ensure compliance of tax payment. I assure you that we stand committed to working with the trade and industry to achieve the aim that the GST seeks to bring in, and ultimately lead to better competitiveness and gains for all.
We have had over the past few months had a steady stream of visitors to our Help Desks and offices and who we were happy to welcome and help. The Department has also been conducting a large number of outreach activities across forums and platforms and we have been heartened and enthused with the response we have been getting. We shall continue our efforts in this regard to reach out to you, and to listen and resolve as many issues as we possibly can. We also seek you active cooperation to discharge the obligation which the GST laws place on the taxpayer. When a taxpayer is compliant, it enables us to extend greater facilitation- for example, the tax returns are necessary to process refunds, and if they have been filed correctly and in time, the refund itself can be expeditiously processed. In matters of transitional credit, we would like encourage you to consult Circular No. 33/07/2018 – GST, dated 23rd Feb, 2018 which offers a good guidance on the issue.
Now, that we are approaching the end of the fiscal, I would like to appraise you about the decision to further intensify the efforts to liquidate all pending IGST/ITC refund claims by observing a Special Drive -"IGST/ITC Exports Refund fortnight" beginning from 15th March to 29th March 2018. It will be observed across all the entire State of Karnataka (Bengaluru Central Tax Zone) like in other states in the country. The matter of pending export related refund claims are being taken up for Special attention in this fortnight. I encourage you to make use of this opportunity and help us meet the goal of liquidating all pending refund claims. The List of Nodal Officers for every jurisdiction in this Zone has been hosted on this site, and in case of need, you may please get in touch with them for any assistance in the matter. The Help Desks currently operational at various locations in Karnataka can also be approached for redressing any specific queries or concerns that you may have refunds or GST in general.

Message from Shri M. Vinod Kumar, IRS

GST, which is the product of a collaborative effort of various stake-holders, has now become a reality. The formulation of the law and procedures has been the result of extended deliberations, discussions and consultations conducted over the course of a decade.
Now, in order to ensure successful implementation of the new taxation regime, the CBIC formations in Karnataka have been re-organized in such a manner as to ensure both trade facilitation across the length and breadth of the state, as well as to align the existing formations in line with the GST design.
With the change in the orientation, which is absolutely essential for this Department to successfully implement GST, it was felt that the existing website of the Zone needed to be overhauled in order to provide more content on GST to the trade and industry. This is in continuation of the steps already taken to create awareness about GST by means of advertisements, holding Public Outreach Programmes and the conversion of every office into a Seva Kendra in order to offer better taxpayer services.
Apart from furnishing up to date information on matters relating to GST, the website also provides information regarding jurisdictions in an accessible and user-friendly manner. The zone would also be launching an app shortly, which would be of use to both existing as well as new taxpayers. A period of transition always poses challenges, given the various changes that are occurring on a continuous basis.
We hope that this website, as well as the app that will be released, will enable you to stay abreast of all these changes, and will be a fount of authentic information, that will enable you to function smoothly in the GST era. All the officers and staff of the Zone would like to assure the trade and industry of their continued support and assistance to enable a smooth transition to the GST regime.